5fli 


U.C.BERKELEY  LIBRARIES 


CD^3Efiflt^DS 


f 


University  of  California  •  Berkeley 


AUGUST   19,  1868, 


JR.EY.    D 


.        R.   AND          .RS.        ARSTOW 


^ 


Printed  at  the  Bequest  of  their  Children. 


1868. 


WM.  L.  STONE  and  J.  T.  BARRON, 

Book  and  Job  Printers, 
No.  98  Nassau  street,  New  York. 


AUGUST  19th,   1868. 


are  certain  days  so  very  lovely,  that 
one  would  like  "  to  have  and  to  hold  " 
their  memories  forever.  You  wish  that  nature 
would,  for  once,  condescend  to  repeat  herself,  that 
you  could  be  a  little  more  sure  of  details.  These 
are  golden  days,  when  nature  in  all  her  forms,  and 
thought  in  its  most  subtle  suggestions,  are  in  per- 
fect harmony  —  when  the  past  belongs  to  the 
present,  and  the  present  contains  the  past 

The  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  marriage  of  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  BABSTOW  of  Keene,  N.  H.,  was  such  a 
day.  One  need  not  live  a  thousand  years  in  this 
world  of  ours  to  assent  to  the  fact  that  the 
wedding-day  is  often  the  prelude  to  a  long  series 
of  tragic  and  unspoken  struggles  ;  and  that  its 
fiftieth  recurrence  makes  one  draw  a  long  breath 


A    GOLDEN    REMEMBRANCE. 


of  grateful  relief,  not  only  that  the  Father  of 
Mercies  has  given  the  hourly  strength  for  hourly 
need,  but  also  that  the  fiftieth  mile-stone  has  been 

passed,  and  that  the  life-long  pilgrimage  is  so  soon 
to  end. 

Here,  however,  is  a  GOLDEN  Wedding,  which 
stands  for  hopes  fulfilled,  for  the  gathering  of  the 
harvest,  for  the  counting  of  the  sheaves.  Let  us 
review  the  incidents  of  this  19th  of  August,  1868 : 

The  day  is  perfect.  Summer  has  brought  out 
her  richest  foliage  and  most  brilliant  flowers,  and 
tempered  her  fervid  heat  with  shadowing  clouds 
and  cooling  breezes.  The  place  is  lovely.  There 
is  no  spot  in  New  England  more  beautiful  than 
the  valley  of  the  Ashuelot,  with  its  girdling  hills 
on  every  side,  its  romantic  river-scenery,  and  the 
grand  Monadnock  in  the  blue  distance.  Nor  has 
any  part  of  Keene  a  finer  position  than  that  portion 
of  Main  street  which  bears  the  marks  of  its  earli- 
est occupancy,  and  where  stands  the  old  "  Parson- 
age." We  may  well  call  it  old,  for  it  is  the  earliest- 
built  house  now  standing  in  Keene,  and  its  flavor 
of  antiquity  is  too  rare  to  be  left  unnoticed.  We 
cannot  date  its  erection;  but  we  know  that  in 
1770,  when  Dartmouth  College  was  only  a  school 


A    GOLDEN    REMEMBRANCE 


for  Indian  boys,  the  first  Board  of  Trustees  met  in 
the  parlor  of  this  very  house,  to  decide  upon  the 
location  of  the  projected  College,  and  devise  its 
organization.  It  has  always  been  well  cared  for, 
and  is  one  of  the  prettiest  country  homes  to-day. 

The  olden  Keene,  was  a  quiet,  aristocratic  vil- 
lage, with  a  somewhat  unusual  amount  of  culture 
and  refinement.  From  its  one  long,  level  street, 
lined  with  Lombardy  poplars,  the  roads  leading  to 
the  surrounding  hills  diverged,  and  at  the  head  of 
it  stood  its  one  "  Meeting-House/' 

The  Keene  of  to-day,  with  its  broad  avenues, 
shaded  by  noble  elms  and  maples ;  its  numerous 
shops  :  its  handsome  houses  and  various  churches, 
is  a  large  populous  town,  to  which  all  the  neigh- 
boring country  is  tributary,  and  which  bears  sur- 
prising marks  of  the  wealth  and  energy  of  a 
business  age.  But  the  "  Parsonage"  still  stands 
in  its  primitive  simplicity,  with  its  low  walls,  its 
beams  traversing  the  ceilings,  and  all  the  quaint 
peculiarities  of  the  last  century.  It  was  the  first 
abode  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  BAESTOW,  after  their  mar- 
riage, and  has  been  the  birth-place  of  their  chil- 
dren. In  the  spacious  "  front-yard,"  and  stationed 


A    GOLDKN    REMEMBUANCE. 


on  either  side  of  the  flower-lined  path,  we  see 
to-day  a  fine  band  of  music,  which  the  provident 
kindness  of  General  Griffin  has  furnished,  and 
which  adds  much  to  the  picturesqeness  of  the 
scene.  As  you  enter  the  little  nook  of  a  hall 
through  its  garlanded  door,  your  eye  rests,  first, 
on  the  old  date  you  have  come  here  to  remember, 
"  1818,"  in  illuminated  figures,  surrounded  with 
orange  and  ivy  leaves.  Beneath  this,  the  motto, 
"  God  bless  our  home ?' ;  and  below,  with  its  fitting 
decoration  of  autumn  leaves,  the  date  of  to-day, 
"  1868  ".  Turning  to  the  right,  from  the  hall,  you 
enter  the  parlor,  where  are  gathered  the  many 
brothers  and  sisters  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  BARSTOW, 
with  their  children ;  parishioners,  old  and  young — 
men  with  white  heads  and  bowed  forms,  who, 
fifty  years  ago,  welcomed  this  Christian  minister 
to  a  new  field  of  labor ;  and  children  of  the  fourth 
generation  of  those  families  who  have  listened  to 
his  teachings,  and  whose  mothers  were  moulded 
by  his  instructions.  Here  stand  the  groomsman 
and  bridesmaid  of  the  marriage  of  1818,  who  then 
officiated  as  dear  friends :  and  who,  with  rare 
felicity,  are  spared  to  unite  in  these  festivities, 
(Mr.  and  Mrs.  PHILLIPS,  of  Westb<  trough,  Massa- 


A     GOLDEN    REMEMBRANCE.  7 

chusetts),  Here  we  meet  Dr.  J.  WHITNEY  BAR- 
STOW,  of  Flushing,  Long  Island.son  of  Dr.  BARSTOW, 
with  his  young  wife  and  children,  at  whose  bidding 
these  friends  have  come  together,  and  under 
whose  skillful  ordering,  this  fairy  scene  has  been 
evoked.  Over  your  head,  across  the  old  beam,  is 
the  glorious  old  benediction,  "  Peace  be  unto  this 
house  ".  A  symbolic  bell  of  golden  rod,  wreaths 
of  ivy,  rare  and  exquisite  flowers,  which  the  hands 
of  kind  friends  in  Flushing  and  Keene  have  fur-  ' 
nished  and  fashioned,  adorn  this  room,  and  fill 
the  whole  house  with  beauty  and  fragrance.  But 
the  crowning  grace  of  the  occasion,  is  the  group 
formed  by  Dr.  and  Mrs.  BARSTOW,  You  will  never 
realize,  unless  you  look  again  at  his  snow-white 
head,  that  this  stalwart  form,  so  erect  and  firm, 
with  the  clear  voice  of  youth,  and  the  heartiest 
of  welcomes  for  every  guest,  is  the  same  young 
minister  who  was  settled  fifty  years  ago  over  this 
people,  in  those  fabulous  days  when  the  clergyman 
was  the  autocrat  of  the  land  ;  or,  that  the  graceful 
lady  by  his  side,  so  pliant  in  every  movement,  is 
the  young  bride  who  stood  with  him  at  the  altar, 
so  long  ago.  Life  has  brought  to  them,  as  to 
all,  care,  and  sickness,  and  grief  They  have 


A    GOLDEN    REMEMBRANCE. 


counted  their  losses,  as  well  as  their  gains :  but 
it  has  been  a  well-ordered  life  of  Christian  labor, 
and  love  has  lightened  its  burdens.  Here  they 
stand,  to  show  us  what  men  and  women  were 
nurtured  in  the  last  century.  Over  their  honored 
heads,  the  walls,  festooned  with  the  choicest  flow- 
ers, bear  this  motto :  "  He  shall  give  his  angels 
charge  over  thee".  Filial  love  could  hardly  have 
made  a  more  significant  selection. 

After  the  crowd  of  guests,  filling  the  house  and 
yard,  are  assembled,  and  mutual  congratulations 
interchanged,  Dr.  WHITNEY  BAKSTOW,  leading  his 
wife  and  children,  approaches,  and  the  more  for- 
mal services  of  the  occasion,  begin  : 

First,  with  his  very  simple,  earnest,  and  touch- 
ing address  :— 

"  DEAR  AND  HONORED  PARENTS  : 

Your  children,  both  the  absent  and  the  present,  few  in 
number,  but  with  hearts  full  of  tender  love  and  gratitude 
to  their  father  and  mother,  offer  you  their  affectionate 
congratulations  on  this  fiftieth  anniversary  of  your  wedded 
life.  And  especially  would  we  render  our  heart-felt  ac- 
knowledgements to  our  Father  in  Heaven,  for  that  kind, 
watchful  care  which  has  thus  lengthened  out  your  lives 
to  reach  this  day,  and  to  enjoy  with  us  the  rare  satisfac- 


A    GOLDEN    KEMKMBRANCE. 


tion  of  your  "  GOLDEN  WEDDING".  We  bring,  it  is  true, 
no  stores  of  golden  gifts  to  crown  this  joyous  home- 
festival  ;  but  we  bring  hearts  rich  in  golden  recollections 
of  those  years  of  tender  care  which  you  have  bestowed 
upon  our  infancy,  of  the  faithful  and  prayerful  nurture 
with  which  you  have  blessed  our  childhood,  and  the  rare 
examples  of  virtue  and  usefulness  which  you  have  fur- 
nished to  our  riper  years.  While  we  cannot  hope  to  repay 
this  life-long  debt,  it  is  at  least  our  privilege  and  our  joy 
to  acknowledge  the  obligation,  and  to  return  to  you  the 
heart-felt  blessings  of  grateful  children.  And  now, 
during  the  days  which  may  remain  of  your  long  and 
useful  lives,  we  invoke  upon  your  venerable  heads  the 
choicest  blessings  of  Heaven.  May  that  God,  whom,  for 
fifty  years,  you  have  so  faithfully  served,  both  in  the 
pulpit  and  in  the  closet;  at  whose  altar  you  have  minis- 
tered with  such  constancy  and  fidelity,  both  in  public  and 
in  private ;  and  whom,  even  more  than  half  a  century 
ago,  you  chose  for  your  life-long  Guide  and  Father,  still 
be  your  "  Abiding  Comforter"  and  support.  And  when 
your  work  on  earth  shall  be  finished,  and  you  pass  to  your 
Heavenly  reward,  leaving  us  no  longer  your  companion- 
ship and  counsel,  there  will  still  remain  to  us  the  remem- 
brance of  your  words  of  parental  love,  the  example  of 
your  Godly  life,  and  the  glorious  hope  of  a  reunion  of 
parents  and  children  in  that  brighter  home  within  the 
vail.  There,  at  length,  may  we  not  hope  to  sit  down  at 
the  feast  of  the  Heavenly  Bridegroom,  at  the  table  of  our 


10  A    GOLDEN    REMEMBKANCE. 

common  Father,  and  rejoice  together  in  the  immediate 
presence  of  Him,  with  whom  "  a  thousand  years  are  as 
one  day,  and  one  day  as  a  thousand  years  ". 

It  is  needless  to  say  with  how  much  emotion 
these  words  were  received,  or  in  how  touching  a 
manner  Dr.  BAKSTOW  responded,  substantially,  as 
follows : 

41  MY  DEAK  CHILDBEN  : 

While  you  thus  give  utterance  to  these  deep  expres- 
sions of  filial  love  and  respect,  my  heart  is  too  full  to  ex- 
press my  feelings  in  many  words.  I  bless  God  for  chil- 
dren who  thus  honor  their  parents,  and  who  have  been  so 
considerate,  respectful,  and  affectionate ;  and  who  have 
done  and  are  doing  so  much  to  promote  their  comfort  and 
happiness.  May  the  blessing  of  the  Father  Almighty 
f  est  upon  you  continually  ;  and  when  our  own  heads  are 
laid  low  in  death,  may  you  long  enjoy  the  fulfillment  of 
God's  promise  to  those  who  honor  their  father  and  their 
•mother." 

At  the  close  of  Dr.  BARSTOW'S  words,  Dr.  J.  W. 
BARSTOW,  with  his  wife,  accompanied  by  Miss 
INGERSOLL  at  the  organ,  sang  the  anthem,  "  The 
Lord  is  my  Shepherd" ;  and  immediately  after, 
was  read  the  succeeding  poem,  written  for  the 
occasion  by  the  eldest,  and  absent  son  of  Dr. 
BARSTOW  : 


A    GOLDEN    REMEMBRANCE.  11 

"  To  my  FATHER  and  MOTHER,  on  the  occasion  of  their 
*  GOLDEN  WEDDING',  August  19th,  1868;  these  LINES, 
accompanied  by  a  sprig  of  l  SIEMPRE  VIVA  ',  tire  dedi- 
cated by  their  affectionate  Sox, 

"WILLIAM  BARSTOW, 
"  SAX  FRANCISCO,  July,  1868. 


SCTURES. 


"  THE  WEDDIXG  !— Xow  two  hearts  and  hands  sore  joined, 

And  lite 'begins.    The  exquisite  delight 

Of  mere  existence  seems  almost  to  make 

The  task  before  them  easy.    Lovely  earth, 

The  warm,  the  rich,  the  glorious  earth,  has  charms : 

Its  sunshine  and  its  flowers,  its  perfumed  breath, 

Its  singing  birds,  its  glistening  drops  of  dew, 

Its  laughing  rivulets,  its  wondrous  wealth 

Of  happy  love,  of  beauty,  and  of  life, 

Make  perfect  harmony  for  eye  and  ear, 

Each  note  of  which  a  chord  responsive  finds 

Within  their  breasts.    It  fills  their  very  souls 

With  music :  and  relieves,  with  charming  tints. 

The  sombre  shadows  of  that  darksome  path 

Of  weary,  self-denying,  thankless  toil, 

Which  they  have  chosen.    For  they  give  their  life 

To  duty ; — looking  for  reward  above, 

Hereafter ;  and  expecting  nothing  here 

But  mutual  love.    For  each  to  each  is  all 


12  A    GOLDEN    REMEMBRANCE. 


"  THE  GOLDEN  WEDDING  !— Fifty  years  have  passed 
Since,  hand  in  hand,  these  two  began  their  work. 
That  work  is  done,  and  well  done,  too  \  and  now 
These  good  and  faithful  servants  only  wait 
Their  master's  call,  to  enter  into  joy ! 
The  life  that  half  a  century  ago 
They  saw  before  them,  opening  so  rich 
In  sense-delighting  beauty,  now  seems  tame 
To  that  they  looked  for.    Shadows  now,  and  clouds 
No  more  exist.    The  perfect  bliss  that  comes 
To  souls  that  mingle  with  their  kind,  unclogged 
By  earth,  will  soon  be  theirs.    Wedded  before    • 
Tor  time,  they  wed  now  for  eternity. 
Then  hearts  and  hands  were  joined,  now  souls 
In  far  completer  union.    Perfect  love 
Assimilates  at  once  with  God,  indeed 
Is  Heaven  1    He  who  loveth,  knoweth  God ! 

'  These  pictures  show  two  ages  of  this  pair, 
Two  starting  points  in  life. 

Who  doubts  to  which 
Of  two  occasions  fe*tive?  such  as  these 
Congratulations  heartiest,  are  due  I 
Not  surely  to  the  roseate  first ;  for  doubts, 
Sometimes,  or  self-reproach,  or  may  be,  fears 
Of  possible  delinquencies,  intrude 
To  cloud  its  subjects'  sunshine, — spoil  content. 
But  no  misgivings  mar  the  last :  serene, 
And  calm,  and  tranquil,  in  the  consciousness 


A    GOLDEX    REMEMBRANCE.  13 


Of  duty  well  performed,  they  contemplate 
Their  coming  rest  with  unalloyed  delight : — 

Then  wish  them  joy !    God  bless  them  evermore  ! 


Parched  on.  arid  sands, 

Trampled  by  rude  bands, 

Wounded  by  rough  hands, 

It  bides  its  time  :— 

Revived  by  welcome  rain, 

It  starts  to  life  again, 

Forgetting  all  its  pain- 
As  in  its  prime. 

Beloved  ones !  we  see  your  welcome  here ! 
This  Heaven-favored  plant,  which  never  dies, 
Yet  suffers  long,  in  patience,  not  in  fear, 

Symbols  your  life  and  love : — 
80  ye  endure  and  wait; — until,  at  length, 
Refreshed  with  "  Laving  "Waters  ",  ye  shall  rise. 
Again  in  perfect  symmetry  and  strength, 

To  richer  life  above ! 

SIEMPBE  VIVA! 


*  This  plant,  a  native  of  Lower  California  and  Mexico,  owes 
its  name  to  its  extraordinary  vitality.  It  survives,  not  only  seasons 
of  extreme  drought,  but  also  the  frequent  crushings  to  which  it  is  sub- 
jected by  the  rude  and  furiously-riding  "  vaqueros  "  (or  herdsmen,  who 
scour  the  country  on  horseback),  coming  forth  as  fresh  and  bright  as 
ever,  at  the  commencement  of  the  next  rainy  season ;  and,  from  a 
brown  and  shrunken  ball,  not  larger  than  a  walnut,  expands  and 
unfolds  its  green  leaves,  from  one  to  three  feet  in  circumference, 
covering  the  bare  mountain-sides  with  the  soft  verdure  of  spring. 

W.  B. 


14  A    GOI.I3EN     REMEMBRANCE. 


For  halt'  a  hundred  years,  in  faith  ye've  taught 
The  blessed  teachings  of  the  Son  of  God, 
And  shown  the  way  of  life  to  all  who  sought. 

Ye  comfort  those  who  weep, 
Awl  change  their  grief  to  joy.    In  spite  of  pains 
The  chastened  suff'rers  learn  to  bear  the  rod, 
And  wait,  with  hope,  the  rest  which  yet  remains, 

When  they,  in  Christ,  shall  sleep  ! 

Favored  of  Heaven !    To  few  'tis  given  here 

Ho  long  to  labor  in  this  work  of  love. 

Such  work  expands  the  soul : — Each  added  year 

Does  but  the  more  extend 
Its  view  of  worlds  beyond,  and  better  fits 
That  soul,  released,  to  take  the  place  above, 
Nearest  the  throne,  where  THE  ETEIINAL  sits. 

And  Heavenly  choirs  attend ! 

Blessings  of  children,  friends,  of  all,  be  yours ! 
"  Great  his  reward' shall  be  ",  the  Scriptures  saith, 
Who  to  the  end,  all  things  for  all,  endures  : 

'Tis  meet  that  all  should  bless  ! 
Ye  fought  the  fight,  like  soldiers  brave  and  true  ;— 
Your  course  is  finished ;— you  have  kept  the  faith ; 
Laid  up  in  Heaven,  there  is  henceforth,  for  you, 

A  crown  of  Righteousness ! 
VIVA  I 


At  the  conclusion  of  this  poem,  Rev.  Dr.  ORCUTT, 
of  New  York,  led  in  a  prayer  most  appropriate  to 
the  occasion. 


A    GOLDKX     UhMKMBHANCK.  15 

Xext  in  the  order  of  the  exercises,  was  the  in- 
troduction of  an  extract  from  a  letter  written 
li\  Miss  JULIA  POKTEK.*  of  Xew  Haven,  to  Miss 
SOPHIA  WASSOX.  of  Fairfield,  Connecticut,  fifty-two 
years  ago : 

"MAY  2,  181G. 

••  I  think,  dear  SOPHIA,  that  marrying  and  giving  in  mar- 
riage is  now  the  order  of  the  day.  There  is  that  naught y 
MATTHEW  RICHARDSON  has  dared  to  pass  by  all  our  perfec- 
tions, and  bow  before  the  shrine  of  another.  M  r.  S ARSTOW 
has  steeled  himself  against  our  attractions;  yet  the  little 
fleshly  inhabitant  of  his  left  side  has  suffered  severely  by 
the  charms  of  Miss  BLAKE,  a  niece  of  Mr.  WHITNEY,  who 
has  spent  a  great  deal  of  time  in  Mrs.  GOODRICH'S  family. 
Oh!  you  would  pity  him,  had  you  known  all  the  "  thump- 
ing and  bumping ''  he  has  gone  through.  You  wouldn't 
have  expected  that  such  au  innocent  damsel  as  the  afore- 
said would  have  been  guilty  of  any  violence  to  a  poor, 
unoffending  fellow-creature.  Yet  so  it  was,  that  she  at- 
t.icked  the  little  castle,  and,  after  a  storm  of  two  or  three 


*  Miss  PORTER  was  a  niece  of  President  DWIGHT,  of  Yale  College, 
and  an  intimate  school-friend  of  Mrs.  BAR^TOW,  then  Miss  BLAKE;. 
She  afterward  married  Rev.  JOSEPH  D.  WICKHAM,  ot  Manchester. 
Vermont,  and  died  many  years  ago.  Mr.  WICKHAM  still  survives  her, 
and  we  are  indebted  to  him  for  many  valuable  reminiscences  sug- 
gested by  this  occasion. 

The  above  letter  came,  som3  years  since,  into  the  hands  of  Mrs. 
ELI  "W.  BLAKE,  of  Xew  Haven,  and  to  her  kindness  we  owe  its  pres- 
ervation and  the  privilege  of  such  a  choice  addition  to  our  pages. 


16  A    GOLDEN    REMEMBRANCE. 

months,  she  carried  the  siege,  and  shouted  victory !  You 
must  not  think,  however,  that  the  modest  Miss  Blake 
showed  any  forwardness  on  the  subject,  for  I  assure  you 
this  was  far  from  being  the  case.  I  suppose  that,  after 
much  solicitation,  she  graciously  bowed  assent,  and  thus 
insured  the  tranquility  and  happiness  of  the  Reverend 
Sir,  &c." 

It  is  pleasant  to  go  back  to  the  days  of  care- 
fully-elaborated epistles,  and  compare  them  with 
the  short  jaunty  notes  of  our  day  ! 

The  reading  of  this  extract  was  followed  by 
the  singing  of  the  following  song,  written  by  Mrs. 
Dr.  MACDONALD,  of  Mushing,  and  sung  to  "  Auld 
Lang  Syne  "  by  the  whole  company  : 


How  brightly  shone  the  summer  sun, 

Just  fifty  years  ago, 
When  we  upon  life's  pilgrimage 

Together  vowed  to  go. 
'Twas  fifty  years  ago,  my  friend, 

Just  fifty  years  ago ; 
And  we  were  strong  in  heart  and  hope 

Full  fifty  years  ago. 


A     GOLDEN    KEMEMr.UANCE.  17 

Wu  climbed  by  many  a  weary  steep, 

We  trod  the  grassy  plain, 
And  love  made  sweeter  every  joy, 

And  lighter  every  pain ; 
And  brighter  shines  the  light  of  love, 

A-  we  still  journey  ou, 
And  strong  in  heart  and  hope  we  stand 

Though  fifty  years  are  gone. 

And  though  upon  our  shortened  way 

The  evening  shades  descend ; 
8till  youthful  hands  are  linked  in  ours, 

Our  trembling  steps  t'  attend ; 
And  children's  children,  gathered  here, 

With  loving  accents  own  : 
We  yet  are  strong  in  heart  and  hope 

Though  fifty  years  have  flown. 

And  when  our  pilgrimage  is  o'er, 

And  we  may  gather  where 
A  Heavenly  Bridegroom  spreads  the  feast 

His  chosen  guests  shall  share : 
We'll  bless  the  gracious  Father's  hand 

That  led  us  safely  on, 
And  made  us  strong  in  heart  and  hope 

When  fifty  years  had  gone. 

E.  H.  M. 

AUGUST  19,  1868. 

Eev.  Dr.  OIICUTT  then  follows  with  a  very  ink-r- 
esting sketch*  of  the  families  of  both  Dr.  and 


*  Dr.  O.'s  narrative  will  be  found  entire  in  the  Appendix. 

li 

2* 


18  A    GOLDEN    REMEMBRANCE. 


Mrs.  BAKSTOW.  From  him  we  learn  that  of  the 
original  band  of  eleven  brothers  and  sisters  of 
Mrs.  BAIISTOW  who  were  present  at  her  marriage, 
eight  still  survive  ;  and  six  of  them,  with  the  mar- 
riage companions  of  their  youth,  are  present  to- 
day ;  while  nine  of  the  families  of  brothers  and 
sisters  are  fully  represented.  This  fact  is  most 
remarkable  in  itself.  Indeed,  no  one  can  see  the 
very  excellent  photographic  view  taken  by  Mr. 
FIIENCH,  of  Keene,  of  this  family  group,  without 
recalling  the  lines  written  by  the  Baroness  of 
Nairn,  in  her  seventy-sixth  year : 

"  Would  you  be  young  again  ! 
So  would  not  1 1 
One  tear  to  memory  given, 
Onward  I'll  hie. 
Lite's  dark  wave  forded  o'er, 
All  but  at  rest  on  shore ; 
Say,  would  you  plunge  once  more 
With  home  so  nigh  ?" 

Dr.  OECUTT  concludes  with  a  cordial  expression 
of  his  own  hearty  congratulations,  and  fitly  pre- 
pares the  way  for  the  "  Gloria  in  Excelsis",  which 
is  now  sung,  and  the  closing  benediction  pro- 
nounced by  Dr.  BARSTOW. 

After  the   close   of  the   services,  the   ancient 


A    GOLDEN     KKMKMIIIIANCK.  10 

dining-room,  where  hangs  the  portrait  of  Mrs. 
BARSTOW,  wreathed  with  ivy,  and  surmounted  by 
the  inotto,  "  Honor  thy  Father  and  thy  Mother  ", 
opens  its  always-hospitable  doors  to  the  partakers 
of  an  abundant  and  tastefully- ordered  entertain- 
ment ;  and,  as  if  to  add  to  the  picture  its  last  and 
finishing  touch,  here  stands,  as  one  of  the  attend- 
ants at  the  table,  a  portly  colored  dame,  whom  we 
easily  recognize  as  a  familiar  household-friend, 
early  taught  in  Mrs.  BARSTOW'S  excellent  domestic- 
school,  and  the  faithful  and  cherished  friend  of 
her  children. 

There  are  several  minor  memories  of  the  after- 
noon which  we  would  not  willingly  forget.  One 
was  the  touching  simplicity  with  which  Dr.  BAR- 
STOW,  in  his  response  to  his  son,  said :  "  We  would 
what  you  say  were  true — we  would  it  were  true ;" 
and  another,  the  surprised  and  somewhat  appre- 
hensive mirth  that  beamed  in  the  faces  of  each  of 
the  pair,  on  the  reading  of  Miss  PORTER'S  very 
droll  letter.  After  its  close,  and  when  Dr.  WHIT- 
NEY BARSTOW  declared  the  seal  of  secresy  to  be 
removed,  this  mirth  became  an  exquisite  bit  of 
nature,  and  came  to  the  rescue,  as  nature  always 


20  A    GOLDEN    KEMEMBKANCE. 


does,  when  pathos  was  almost  overpowering. 
Neither  would  we  fail  to  specify  the  appropriate- 
ness of  the  many  and  very  elaborate  mottoes  and 
floral  decorations.  Nothing  occurred  prettier  than 
the  cutting  of  the  huge  wedding-cake,  bearing  its 
initial  "  B  ",  with  the  double  date,  by  the  Bride  of 
1818,  with  trembling  hands,  that  have  "done  so 
faithfully  with  their  might  whatsoever  they  have 
found  to  do  ",  for  so  many  years,  and  have  never 
faltered  in  their  unselfish  labors. 

The  Ba.nd,  too,  in  picturesque  costume,  always 
striking  the  key-note  to  the  hour,  played  "Auld 
Lang  Syne",  "  Sweet  Home",  and  finally  led  the 
whole  assemblage  in  "  Old  Hundred  ". 

In  the  sitting-room  stood  the  table  of  wedding- 
gifts.  They  were  various  and  valuable,  and  not 
only  largely  testified  to  fraternal  and  family  at- 
tachment, but  bore  ample  witness  to  the  firm  hold 
which  Dr.  and  Mrs.  BARSTOW  have  secured  upon 
the  affectionate  appreciation  of  their  towns -people. 
Different  denominations,  and  especially  clergymen 
of  different  denominations,  united  in  golden  ex- 
pressions of  cordial  regard,  alike  honorable  to 


A    GOLDEN    RKMlC.MU'tANCK.  21 

giver  and  receiver.  Indeed,  how  could  it  be  other- 
wise ? — Dr.  BAESTOW  is 


" A  man  to  all  the  country  dear, 

And" — (we  cannot  forbear  to  complete  the  rouplot) 
" — passing  rieh.  a'_  t'  >rty  pounds  a  year  "  ; 

and  the  departing  years,  while  they  have  win- 
nowed the  old  friendships,  have  confirmed  the  old 
ties. 

And  so  the  day,  as  all  earthly  days  must,  drew 
on  to  its  close.  Never  did  the  lingering  sunset 
adorn  a  more  lovely  occasion,  or  one  more  fitted 
to  lead  the  imagination  onward  to  that  "Celestial 
Country  "  of  which  all  present  beauty  is  typical, 
and  where  alone  it  will  find  its  fulfillment : 


'Thou hast  no  shore.  f;ui  orr.ui ! 

Thou  hast  no  time,  bright  day  ! 
Dear  fountain  of  refreshment 

To  Pilgrims  far  away  : 
Unto  the  Rock  of  Ages 

They  raise  the  holy  tower ; 
Thine  is  the  victor's  laurel, 

And  thine  the  golden  dower. 


*  Dr.  XEALE'S  translation  of  the  "  Celestial  Country  ". 


A    GOLDEN    IlKMEUBKAXCE. 

"  They  stand,  those  halls  of  Siou, 

Conjubilant  with  song, 
And  bright  with  many  an  an'^el, 

And  all  the  martyr  throng ; 
The  Prince  is  ever  in  them, 

The  daylight  is  serene, 
Tho  pastures  of  the  blessed 
Are  decked  in  glorious  sheen." 

H. 


.UPPLEMENT. 


ORDER    OF    EXERCISES 


t 

JlEY.     PR.    <^    /ViRS.     PARSTOW, 


i. 
Address  of  Children. 

II. 

Reply  of  Parents. 

III. 
Ps.  xix.—  "The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd." 

IV. 

Letter  from  Dr.  Wm.  Barstow,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

v. 
Prayer,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Orcutt, 

OF  NEW  YORK  CITY. 
VI. 

Reading  of  Other  Letters. 

VII. 

"The  Fiftieth  Wedding-Day." 

'•  Auld  Lang  Svne." 

VIII. 

Historical  Narrative,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Orcutt. 

IX. 

Gloria  in  Excelsis  Deo. 

x. 

Benediction,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Barstow. 


'AMILY 


(Sxoldea    ^We 

Photographed  by  Mr.  J.  A.  FBEtfCH, 


KEY.  DR.  AND  MRS.  BARSTOW. 

DR.  J.  W.  BARSTOW  AND  WIFE, 

Their  Children,  LILY  and  DONALD. 

MR.  ELI  W.  BLAKE  AND  WIFE,  .        .        .     New  Haven,  Conn. 
MB.  GEORGE  A.  BLAKE,   ....  " 

Miss  CAROLINE  E.  BLAKE/        ...  "  " 

DR.  ELIHU  BLAKE  AND  WIFE,        .        .  " 

Miss  EMMA  BLAKE, " 

MR.  JOSIAH  W.  BLAKE  AXD  WIFE,    .        .        .    Boston,  Mass. 
MRS.  GEORGE  W.  MIXER,          ....  " 

MR.  JOHN  A.  BLAKE, New  Haven,  Conn. 

Miss  LIZZIE  BLAKE,  .... 

Miss  ADDIE  BLAKE, "  " 

REV.  DR.  JOHN  ORCUTT  AND  WIFE,      .        .      New  York  City. 

Mi*s  ISABELLA  BLAKE, Truro,  Mass. 

MRS.  ARCHIBALD  BURGESS,  .        .        .     Westboro',  Mass. 

Miss  SARAH  BURGESS, Keene,  N.  H. 

Miss  MARIA  G.  BURGESS,  New  Haven,  Conn. 


HISTORICAL 


BY    REV.    Pit.    OKCUTT. 


HE  marriage  of  these  dear  and  venerable 
friends,  whose  "  GOLDEN  WEDDING"  we 
are  met  to-day  to  celebrate,  was  solemnized  at 
the  bride's  parental  home,  in  Westborough,  Mass., 
on  the  evening  of  the  19th  of  August,  1818.  The 
ceremony  was  performed  by  the  Rev.  ELISHA  ROCK- 
WOOD,  who  was  then,  and  for  many  years  after- 
ward, pastor  of  the  church  of  which  the  bride  was 
a  member.  Dr.  ROCKWOOD  was  subsequently  set- 
tled in  Swanzey,  N.  H.,  where,  after  an  honored 
pastorate  of  twenty  years,  he  died,  in  1858,  leav- 
ing a  memory  fragrant  with  all  pleasant  recollec- 
tions. 

Of  the  eleven  brothers  and  sisters  who  were 
present,  or  who  were  living,  at  the  time  of  the  wed- 
ding, fifty  years  ago,  eight  still  survive.  Those 
deceased  are : 


30  A    GOLDEN    HEMEMBKANCE. 

I.  CHARLES  T.,  who  died  in  Oporto,  Portugal,  in 
1818,  aged  eighteen  years. 

II.  MARIA  G.,  wife  of  the  late  Rev.  ARCHIBALD 
BUEGESS,  of  Hancock,  N.  H.,  who  died  in  1840, 
aged  forty  years,  leaving  seven  children. 

III.  GEORGE  W.,  who  died  at  Buenos  Ayres, 
S.  A.,  in  1842,  aged  thirty-six  years. 

The  latter  was  the  subject  of  the  interesting 
memoir,  entitled  "  The  Young  Christian  Mer- 
chant ",  prepared  by  Mrs.  BARSTOW,  and  published, 
some  years  since,  by  the  American  Tract  Society, 
of  Boston.  The  eight  remaining  children  are  all 
now  living  with  the  wedded  companions  of  their 
youth.  Six  of  these,  with  their  companions,  are 
present  on  this  memorable  occasion,  and  nine  of 
the  families  are  here  represented. 

It  is  a  noteworthy  fact,  that  the  eight  surviving 
children  have  lived  with  their  marriage  com- 
panions more  than  thirty  years,  and  two  of  them 
fifty  years  and  over. 

A  venerable  pastor,  near  New  York,  stated,  in 
his  fortieth  anniversary  sermon,  that  of  the  one 
hundred  and  seventy  families  in  which  the  mar- 


.A    GOLDEN  'KEMEMBRANCE.  31 

riage  tie  existed  at  the  time  of  his  settlement, 
only  ten  remained. 

In  this  one  family  we  have  four  instances  where 
the  marriage  tie  has  not  been  severed  in  forty 
years,  and  eight  cases  in  which  it  has  existed  over 
thirty  years.  Surely,  this  fact  calls  for  special 
thanksgiving ;  for  it  gives  a  bright  lustre  to  the 
gems  of  this  golden  occasion  ! 

The  groom  was  the  youngest  of  six  children, 
only  one  of  whom,  besides  himself,  survives  :  a 
sister,  of  nearly  ninety  years  ;  and,  we  are  happy 
to  say,  with  the  exception  of  gray  hairs,  which  are 
honorable,  we  find  him  not  laid  aside  by  infirmi- 
ties, but  still  fresh  and  vigorous — ready  for  the 
service  of  his  Master  and  his  fellow-men. 

May  the  blessing  of  Heaven,  as  heretofore,  con- 
tinue to  rest  upon  the  bridal  pair  of  this  GOLDEN 
WEDDING  ;  and  may  they  live  to  see  yet  many 
good  days  with  their  children  and  friends,  and  to 
extend  to  others  the  same  affectionate  congratu- 
lations which  we  so  heartily  offer  to  them  on  this 
truly  delightful  anniversary  ! 


s  a  supplement  to  the  description  of  this 
village  landmark  already  given  by  the 
graceful  pen  of  "  H ",  we  venture  to  add  a  few 
items  of  its  history,  which  we  have  since  collected, 
and  which  will  have  a  value  in  the  eyes  of  fam- 
ily friends,  even  if  they  should  not  interest  the 
general  reader. 

Who  built  the  house  V  and  when  ?  are,  as  has 
been  already  implied,  questions  which  neither 
history  nor  tradition  can  answer. 

It  is  believed  to  be  the  oldest  dwelling-house 
in  Keene ;  and  its  exterior  tells,  at  a  glance,  the 
story  of  its  antiquity.  The  broad,  heavy  roof; 
the  single  low  and  capacious  chimney ;  the  small 
windows ;  and  the  narrow-paneled  door,  still  bear- 
ing its  ponderous  brass  knocker,  which,  before 
the  days  of  the  modern  bell-pull,  was  wont  to 


A    GOLDEN     REMEMBRANCE.  '    33 

announce  the  arrival  of  friend  or  stranger ;  the 
square  front-yard,  well  shaded  with  elms  and 
maples — many  of  them  planted  by  the  hand  of 
the  present  occupant — all  announce  to  the  passer- 
by, that  this  is  one  of  the  few  remaining  old- 
fashioned  New  England  homes. 

The  house  was  probably  built  for  a  tavern,  and 
as  such  we  know  it  was  occupied  until  about  the 
commencement  of  the  present  century. 

In  the  records  of  Dartmouth  College,  it  ap- 
pears that  "  the  first  meeting  of  the  Trustees  of 
the  College  was  held,  agreeable  to  charter,  at 
Keen,  in  the  Province  of  New  Hampshire,  October 
ye  22d,  1770,  notice  thereof  having  been  given  by 
the  President, "  &c.  That  meeting,  it  is  ascer- 
tained,* was  held  in  this  house,  then  known  to 
travelers,  far  and  wide,  as  "  Frink's  Tavern"  ;  and 
the  place  was  doubtless  selected  as  a  convenient 
rallying-point  for  the  Trustees,  who  were  scattered 
through  the  Provinces,  from  Upper  New  Hamp- 
shire to  Connecticut.  The  Reverend  President, 
and  Founder  of  the  College,  Doctor  ELEAZEE 

*  From  Rev.  S.  PAYSON,  D.  B.,  of  Eindge,  N.  H.,  1818. 


34  A    GOLDEN    REMEMBRANCE. 

WUEELOCK,  presided  at  this  meeting ;  and  Rev. 
WILLIAM  PATTEN  acted  as  clerk. 

At  that  period,  the  south  front-room  was  the 
all-important  bar-room  of  the  establishment.  The 
bar  stood  in  the  southeast  corner ;  and,  though 
that  feature  has  long  since  disappeared,  the  closet 
is  still  shown  which  served  as  tap-room,  with  its 
sliding-table  for  jugs  and  glasses,  beneath  which 
a  short  staircase  once  descended  to  the  cellar 
below. 

In  1775  the  house  was  occupied  by  Oapt.  ISAAC 
WYMAN.  The  news  of  the  battle  of  Lexington 
(April  19,  1775)  having  reached  Keene  by  an 
express  messenger,  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  was 
at  once  called,  and  it  was  voted  that  a  body  of  men 
should  be  sent  to  oppose  the  Regulars.  Capt.  W. 
was  nominated  as  their  leader;  and,  although 
advanced  in  years,  he  cheerfully  consented  to  go. 
Volunteers  were  called  for,  and  thirty  men  pre- 
sented themselves. 

Capt.  W.  ordered  them  to  go  home  at  once, 
provide  provisions  for  the  march,  and  rendezvous 
next  morning,  at  sunrise,  at  his  house,  prepared  to 
hasten  to  the  relief  of  the  Continentals. 


A    GOLDEN    KEMEMBKANCE.  :'-"i 

They  accordingly  started  next  morning ;  and,  as 
the  sun  rose,  they  commenced  their  march  to 
Concord,  Mass.,  without  waiting  to  be  joined  by 
volunteers  from  any  of  the  neighboring  towns.* 

We  thus  find  that  it  was  from  the  "  OLD  PAR- 
SONAGE" that  the  first  squad  of  Keene  soldiers  set 
forth  to  fight  the  battles  of  the  Eevolution. 

The  next  year  "the  people  of  Keene  solemnly 
engaged  to  oppose  with  arms  the  hostile  proceed- 
ings of  the  British  Fleets  and  Armies  against  the 
United  American  Colonies " ;  and  in  this  move- 
ment, also,  we  find  that  Capt.  WYMAN  took  a 
prominent  part. 

In  1799,  we  learn  from  the  Hon.  JOHN  PEENTISS, 
that  WM.  WAKD  BLAKE  was  the  landlord  of  the 
house,  and  that  he  (Mr.  P.)  then  boarded  in  it. 

Capt.  ISAAC  WYUAX,  Jr.  (son  of  the  Capt.  W. 
above  mentioned),  lived  here  about  the  year  1810, 
and  died  while  building  the  house  next  north  of 
it,  now  the  residence  of  JAMES  B.  ELLIOTT,  Esq. 

In  the  centre  of  the  house,  and  encroaching 
largely  upon  its  area,  is  the  huge  chimney,  eleven 
feet  square,  built  with  clay  mortar,  as  was  com- 

-Vi.de  "H ALE'S  ANNALS". 


36  A    GOLDEN    ItEMEMBUANCE. 

mon  in  the  days  when  lime  was  scarce  and  ex- 
pensive. In  the  second  story,  over  the  bar-room, 
and  occupying  the  entire  south  end,  was  the 
ancient  'ball-room,  where  the  swains  and  belles  of 
the  Ashuelot  valley  were  wont  to  hold  their  rustic 
assemblies,  and  shake  the  sturdy  oaken  beams  with 
the  country-dance  and  the  more  elaborate  pigeon- 
wings.  Many  years  ago,  in  repairing  some  of  the 
old  wainscoting,  was  found  a  woman's  shoe,  with 
high  wooden  heel  and  pointed  toe,  which  may 
have  slipped  from  the  reach  of  the  fair  owner  in 
one  of  those  rustic  romps,  and,  perhaps,  changed 
"hunt  the  slipper"  into  a  serious,  but  vain  search, 
which  compelled  a  barefooted  return  home,  after 
the  night's  frolic. 

The  external  features  of  the  house  have  been 
somewhat  modified  in  later  years.  The  wings  at 
either  end  are  modern,  having  been  added,  in 
1822,  by  the  present  occupant. 

The  rear,  also,  has  been  extended;  and  roof- 
slates  now  take  the  place  of  the  venerable  shin- 
gles. 

The  broad,  stone  step  at  the  kitchen-door  has  a 
history,  being  once  the  front-door  step  of  the 
"  worthy  CLEMENT  SUMNEII",  who  was  the  minister 


A    GOLDEN     REMEMBRANCE. 


of  the  town  in  1761.  When,  or  by  whom,  the 
stone  was  removed,  and  thus  placed,  we  cannot 
learn  ;  but  the  fact  was  stated  by  an  old  village 
oracle,  known  long  ago  in  Keene  as  "  Farmer 

WELLS.'* 


But  Time,  with  all  its  changes,  has  dealt  gently 
with  the  "  Old  Parsonage.'*  as  with  its  present 
honored  inmates.  Forth  from  its  door,  in  the 
hurrying  years,  have  gone  children,  and  children's 
children ;  the  stranger,  fed  and  clothed  and  com- 
forted; the  friend,  the  neighbor,  the  seeker 
after  truth,  the  anxious  soul,  with  its  burden 
lightened  by  pastoral  •  prayer  and  sympathy. 
Newly-married  pairs  of  three  generations  have  set 
forth  from  its  threshold  to  begin  life's  serious 
work  ;  gay  throngs  have  assembled  here  for  social 
enjoyment ;  the  voice  of  prayer  has  risen  to 
Heaven,  "  when  two  or  three  were  met  together ;" 
and  no  morning  sun  has  ever  shone  into  that  quiet 
parlor  but  has  witnessed  the  pastors  solemn  in- 
vocation of  blessings  upon  his  people  and  their 
children. 


38  A    GOLDEN     REMEMBRANCE. 


Sickness  and  death,  too,  have  left  their  memo- 
ries here — sad,  but  sacred.  Days  and  nights  of 
anxious  watching  have  been  spent  within  these 
walls ;  God's  angels  have  entered,  to  silence  the 
voice  of  happy  children ;  and  weeping  friends  have 
moved  from  the  door,  to  carry  the  precious  dust 
to  its  last  resting-place. 

What  wonder,  then,  that  the  present  generation 
clings  to  the  old  home,  which  is  hallowed  by  so 
many  treasured  associations  !  What  wonder  that 
we  gather,  while  we  may,  the  few  remaining  frag- 
ments of  its  history,  jealous  lest 

" — time,  which  steals  our  years  away, 
Shall  steal  our  treasures,  too  !" 

The  "  Old.  Parsonage"  -has  seen  a  century  com- 
pleted. It  stands  as  a  landmark  in  the  path  of 
progress;  it  has  earned  a  strong  hold  in  the 
affections  of  the  community ;  it  is  a  shrine  sacred 
to  pastoral  and  domestic  memories.  May  that  sad 
day  be  long  in  coming,  which  shall  see  its  roof- 
tree  fall,  and  its  place  left  vacant ! 

J.  W.  B. 


Hollinger  Corp. 
pH8.5 


